Junkins Fire Continues to Burn; Some Evacuations Lifted

A map of the Junkins Fire, released in the morning hours of October 20, 2016

U.S. Forest Service

Residents of the Eagle Springs Ranch Subdivision and the Greenwood Subdivision from County Road 390 to mile marker 24 in Custer County are now allowed back into their homes. The Custer County Office of Emergency Management says residents must pick up re-entry passes sometime between 3:00-8:00 today at the Wetmore Volunteer Fire Station located at 200 CR 290 in Wetmore. Proof of residents and identification is required. Re-entry will begin at 5 PM.

Highway 96 will open to thru traffic from McKenzie Junction to Wetmore at 3 PM.

Re-entry is also beginning for residents in Pueblo County who have been evacuated due to the Junkins Fire. Beginning at 10 AM Thursday, 10/20/16, residents from the Simonson Trail Subdivision and North Creek (Central to the Red Mountain Youth Camp) can begin the re-entry process. Residents must obtain a re-entry permit, which are available the Colorado Building at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Bring a photo ID with proof of address.

There's a public meeting Thursday at 7 PM at the West Gym of the Custer County Consolidated School.

Pre-evacuation notices for the entire Beulah Valley have been lifted.

Dumpsters for food waste are available today and Friday from 10-5 at the intersection of North Creek Road and North Creek Cutoff Road.

Evacuations remain in place for all residents on North Creek Road from the Red Mountain Youth Camp to the County Line in Pueblo County.

In Custer County, evacuations remain in place for Highway 96 from mile marker 20 to 24; County Road 387 and the Smith Creek Subdivision.

Custer County will be opening a Disaster Assistance Center at the Wetmore Volunteer Fire Station.

Per the National Forest Service, there's a closure order on the San Carlos Ranger District, encompassing all U.S. Forest Service land south and east of State Highway 96, north of Highway 78; and north and west of the Ophir Gardner Roads (Forest Roads 360 and 634).

The fire has burned 16,832 acres and is 3% contained. 454 personnel are working the blaze, including hand crews, air tankers and helicopters. A Type II Incident Command Team is in place.

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The Junkins Fire burning predominately in Custer County has prompted evacuations in Custer and Pueblo Counties. A Type I Incident Command Team assumed command of the Junkins Fire Wednesday morning. 260 personnel are fighting the blaze, including hand crews, air tankers and helicopters. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire has burned nearly 17,000 acres, and is now at 3% containment. The incident commander expects to see more containment tomorrow. The fire started when a power line was knocked down due to strong winds, landing on a barb wire fence.